Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has come out swinging over his selection and warned that he will ultimately have the final say on which players get called up to the national team.
South Africa face Lesotho on Friday at New Peter Mokaba Stadium and then travel to Ivory Coast to meet up with Benin. Both are World Cup qualifiers.
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Broos has, for the most part, stuck to the regulars in terms of players selected.
However, the Belgian mentor has taken some criticism from the likes of TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi, who suggested more players from his club should be in the senior national team set-up.
Some sections of supporters have also questioned the absence of Kaizer Chiefs duo Bruce Bvuma and in-form Thabo Cele.
Speaking to media ahead of the duel against Lesotho, Broos shot from the hip and doubled down on his selection.
"When the player is ready, I will call them, whether they are from Chippa United or [Mamelodi] Sundowns or wherever that is, one," Broos said.
"Secondly, it will only be me who will choose who will be in the national team. If I do not want to call your player, I will not call him up.
"They are here because they deserve it. Not because one or the other joined the list or the chairman said he wants their player in the national team, no.
"And I think in the four years I have been here, everyone now knows that I don't listen to all those things. I just do what I want and I just choose who I want.
"So, stop telling me about players that deserve to be on the team or there has to be more players of that club. Stop with that! They will be there when they deserve it," explained the 72-year-old.
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Meanwhile, Bafana occupy second place in Group C of the qualifiers behind Rwanda with two wins, a draw and a defeat.
Friday's match against Lesotho kicks off at 18:00.